It’s no secret that beets have a polarizing taste. Some people don’t like the intense earthly flavor that beets have. Some call it the “dirt flavor” because it tastes somewhat sandy and bitter. The truth is, beets can actually become tasty and the key is to combine them with other fruits.
There are several ways to make beet juice in the home. If you have a juicer, beets are one of the easiest veggies to juice, especially if you have an electric juicer. Today on the blog, we will discuss the proper way to juice beets.
Should you peel beets before juicing? Here’s the Truth!
Beets are root crops and since they are grown underground, they naturally have an earthy taste. Unlike other root crops, beets seem to retain more of their earthy flavor. This is why you need to peel the beets first before shooting them into the juicer.
This will help get rid of the dirt from its peeling and reduce its earthy flavors. The good news is that peeling beets doesn’t diminish their nutritious value. A friendly tip – you can toss in various other fruits to help balance the taste.
The Benefits of Beets
Lowers Blood Pressure
One of the proven benefits of drinking bet juice is its capability to lower blood pressure. Studies have found that beet juice can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure when consumed daily. Beets contain nitrates, which later become nitrate oxide after processing in the blood. This helps relax and widen blood vessels to lower blood pressure.
Improves Physical Performance
Drinking beet juice can improve the body’s ability to perform various activities and increase endurance. In one study, beets were found to increase the plasma nitrate levels in the body. It maximizes oxygen output and helps athletes perform better and faster.
Helps Maintain Weight
Beet juice has very low in calories. However, it is jampacked with healthy vitamins and minerals that help improve your body metabolism and reduce weight. This makes beet juice a great alternative to sugary juices and fatty smoothies.
Preparing beets for juicing – Follow these steps!
Now that we have answered the answer to the most common question: “Do you peel beets before juicing?”, let’s get to the bottom of how to prepare your beets for juicing. Before tossing your beets, use the following tips to prepare your beets for your juicer.
Step 1
Wash beets first before you peel them. To remove all the soil and dirt that stick on its skin, soak the beets for at least 10 mins in the water. Then you can use a hard-bristled vegetable brush to remove the harmful chemicals and residual dirt. Even though you are going to peel your beets, it’s essential that you wash them just to be on the safe side.
Step 2
After peeling your beet, slice them in sizes that can fit your juicer perfectly. Some juicers have a wide-feed chute while others don’t have. Regardless, making sure that your fruit is properly chopped will prevent them from getting stuck in the auger. If you have a personal juicer, overfeeding it might cause permanent damage in the future.
Step 3
Carefully load your sliced beets into the juicer. Beet juice can stain very easily and considering its purple color, you won’t like it when it stains your fabric. We suggest using a plastic made cutting board, instead of wooden since they don’t retain stain.
Step 4
Add additional flavorings. Since the earthly flavor in beets is intense, it would be more beneficial to add fruits and vegetables. Adding carrots, apples, greens, spinach, or kale can improve its flavor ultimately. You can combine the juices and serve them cold.
